James Higson

Beautiful! Love the large contrast between the dark wood and bright fittings. +1 on the apocalypse sword market

For ladder pattern it doesnt matter if you forge the tip but the flow of the pattern will likely look better if you do.

Love the sculpting on the handle! How did you do the runes? Did you engrave them or etch?

Ferric chloride is ideal. I use a 1:2 dilution with water (if you buy the anhydrous stuff). I like deep etches so do multiple 20min soaks, wiping off the oxides and then polishing with 1500grit hand sandpaper between soaks.

Yes you definitely can weld them and yes they will etch well, if hardened. Etch is a personal thing, some go deep, some go shallow.

Ooo havent heard of that one! Is D2 hardenable?

Cheers guys! I'll check it out

Cheers guys! Any idea about AEB-L perchance? I know Mr. Loose makes unhardenable stainless PW (as I have some on my finger right now ) so I might be able to find the other steel easier I suppose. Why cant random steels be as easy to get here as they are across the pond??? Thanks again J

Dear Hivemind, I am going to start having a crack at stainless PW but am having trouble getting hold of some AEB-L sheet in the UK. I am planning to use 304/AEB-L (as I've heard it is decent and can be hardened). Does anyone have any idea where I can get sheet stock in the uk? Failing that, are there any other steel mixes that would be appropriate (have contrast once etched, will weld and are hardenable)? I would very much appreciate any assistance! Planning to initially make a ring for my brother's wedding but would like to be able to make stainless hardenable knives at some point so that's why the hardenable aspect is relevant. Anyone who doesnt wish to give away trade secrets in the public forum, please please private message me in the forum messaging system! I will take the info to my grave. Cheers, James

This is interesting. I've never heard of cryo treatment before. Do you have any links to info about it?

Cast some blocks to put under the cast floor and put the wool around these 'feet'? Using them as supports.

Dear Knife and Swordey Brethren, This is the first knife I've decided to post for sale as I mainly do personal commissions or send knives as presents but thought I'd see if anyone was interested in this one. Blade - 15N20/1095 - 5.5" Handle - Zebrano and American Walnut with copper pins and lanyard pin Looking for £250, a tooled leather sheath of your own design can be made for an additional £80 if you'd like. Postage dependent on where in the world you call home

As an avid player of the games and reader of the books I've only watched two episodes but I think they've captured the character of geralt pretty well, mannerisms and voice etc. Also the music is how I thought it should be, probably just taken straight from the witcher 3 game score. Not particularly keen on the fact that you can easily see the cast plastic seams on the sword cross and pommels though.

Definitely don't need to harden it to etch, it should etch fine, just a little less dark in the pallet banding. All I can think of is give it more time in the acid and double check it definitely was the same steel you were using and you didnt accidentally stack up a solid billet of 15N20! (I've definitely made that sorrowful mistake before!) Also, are you thoroughly degreasing it pre-etch?

That sheath is badass!